(Sports Network) - The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, two of the
league's hottest teams, battle for Texas pride Friday night at the AT&T
Center.

The Spurs have won seven of their last eight and the only hiccup during that
time was last Thursday's game against the Heat. Gregg Popovich sent Tim
Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green home before the game to
rest at the end of a six-game road trip.

The move cost the Spurs $250,000, but the Spurs are an older team and one that
is battling injuries. Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, Green and
Patty Mills missed that one with injury and Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson
are still on the mend.

"We're finding ways to do it," said Duncan. "Pop's been moving lineups
around as much as possible and, at the same time, trying to keep people fresh.
It's been a big juggling act and it's been great."

NBA Commissioner David Stern might need to be on alert because the Spurs head
out on a four-game road trip after Friday night's game against the Rockets.

Houston comes into Friday night's Lone Star battle winners of five of its last
six. All five victories came at home as the Rockets have lost their last five
on the road.

"I don't know that we think about the losing streak as much as we think about
playing the right way," interim head coach Kelvin Sampson said after practice
Thursday.

In their last time out, the Rockets rallied late to best the Los Angles
Lakers, 107-105. It was a rough night for the Houston starters, who only
combined for 48 points. The bench carried the Rockets thanks to 22 from Toney
Douglas, a career-high 21 from Greg Smith and 15 out of Carlos Delfino.

"There is a lot to be said about playing the entire 48 minutes and having guys
on the bench that you trust that can come through," Sampson said after the
victory.

It was especially tough outing for point guard Jeremy Lin. He only managed
four points and three assists in under 20 minutes of play.

The Spurs have won six of their last nine against the Rockets and five in a
row in the Alamo City.